Diamond in the Dust (Lost Kings MC 18)

Charlotte, Trinity, and I burst into giggles.

“Angelina, I assure you, that’s not a problem over here,” Ravage says, wiggling his eyebrows. He sets the drinks he’s carrying on the table and angles both hands toward his crotch.

From the little time I’ve spent around Ravage, that’s a tame statement. Must be his version of showing respect to another biker’s daughter.

Angelina flicks an annoyed stare his way but ignores the comment.

I grab my soda and sip through the teeny-tiny straw, then fish out one of the cherries and pop it in my mouth.

“After my last disaster of a relationship, I decided I’m not settling for anything less than what my parents have,” Angelina declares with a defiant chin lift. “My dad set the bar too high to settle. I’m going to work on making myself happy first and only date men who enhance my life. That’s all there is to it.” She jerks her thumb over her shoulder. “Anyone who doesn’t meet my standards can hit the road.”

“Smart woman,” Charlotte says.

“Right? I ain’t build-a-man,” Angelina says with a whole lot of sass. “If he’s not fully-functional, he needs to go.”

Ravage leans forward, resting his weight on his elbows. “But what if your standards are too high? What if you end up dying alone, surrounded by a bunch of cats?”

Angelina blasts him with an arctic glare. “If that time comes, it’ll mean I did the calculations and decided a furry animal who shits in a box was better company than a man.”

Trinity and I howl with laughter.

Lilly squints at Ravage. “Why is dying alone with cats the go-to insult, anyway? Cats are awesome.”

Rav sputters but has no answer.

“I like how you think.” Charlotte reaches over the table and high-fives Angelina. “I need to tell my friend Mercy that one. She attracts a lot of losers using online dating apps.”

Angelina groans. “I deleted my profile off of all the apps. They’re full of vagina-drying troglodytes.”

“Again, Angelina, that is not a problem over here,” Ravage says, this time indicating himself and Stash.

“Good looks are only a quarter of the battle.” She flicks a disinterested glance their way.

“Could you stop encouraging your hot single friends to stay single, Charlotte,” Ravage moans.

“I’m not encouraging her to do anything,” Charlotte counters. “Your gender does the job fine on its own.”

“Wait,” Trinity holds her hands in a time-out T. “Rav, shouldn’t you want the hot girls to stay available?”

“Ohhh, burn!” Stash zings Rav’s arm. “She’s got ya, bro.”

“That’s not what I mean. Not how I meant it,” Ravage backpedals.

“Hi there, Trinity,” a deep voice rumbles behind us. “Good to see you again.”

“Dawson!” Trinity hops out of her chair to shake his hand. “It’s good to see you. Wow, I’m shocked you’re here.”

“Chaser and I go way back.” He glances down at me. “Hey, Shelby.”

“Are you following me?” I tease, standing up to give him a quick hug. “Good to see you.”

Rav and Stash stand and stare at Dawson like they’re measuring him for a hole they plan to dig out back. “Dawson’s a friend,” I warn, placing myself between Dawson and the guys. “And kinda my boss.”

“I prefer mentor,” Dawson says.

Ravage points to Dawson’s hand on my shoulder. “Keep your hands off my brother’s woman, and we’ll be fine.”

“See what I mean, Shelby,” Angelina says. “It’s one thousand times worse when your dad’s the prez.”

Ravage blinks rapidly, his gaze shifting from Angelina to Chaser.

“Something just occur to you, Rav?” Trinity asks sweetly.

“No comment.”

Dawson’s not intimidated by the guys one bit. He holds out his hand to Angelina. “I’m happy to see you again. Would you like to dance?”

Her eyes widen for a second before she accepts the offer. “Sure.”

Inside, I indulge in a mental squee.

Charlotte catches my eye. “They went to that awards show together, right?” she asks in a low voice.

“Yup.”

“See,” Trinity nods knowingly, “Dawson’s the kind of man who will treat her well and won’t back down from her dad.”

“Whatever,” Stash huffs. “He’s too old for her.”

“A chick like her needs a man with stamina,” Rav agrees.

“Cool.” Charlotte twists and turns in an exaggerated way, pretending to search up and down our table. “You see any around?”

Trinity snickers and high-fives Charlotte.

“Teller!” Rav shouts. “Collect your woman!”

At the far end of the table, Teller stops the conversation he’s in the middle of and locks eyes with Charlotte. They engage in this slow, wink-smile stare packed with so much heat, I swear it singes the ends of my hair.

Teller’s gaze shifts to Ravage. “Watch your mouth around my ol’ lady.”

“Figures,” Ravage mutters. He reaches over the table and pats Charlotte’s hand. “You know I’m just messin’ with you.”

“I know, buddy.” Charlotte returns the affectionate pat. “You give good banter. Helps keep my verbal skills sharp for the courtroom.”

He nods and crosses his arms over his chest. “See, I provide a service.” He flashes a smug smile at Stash. “Which is more than we can say for you.”